Theoretical examination of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) concept: Possible driving forces and controversial issues.

摘要

According to the EKC-theory, the process of economic growth is expected eventually to limit the environmental degradation created in the early stages of development. During the 1990s and 2000s, many authors assume that each economy should focus on its economic growth, and any environmental problems will be eventually eliminated by the same process of economic growth. Several studies attempt to detect other than income driving forces that may lead to an EKC-pattern such as the distribution of income, the international trade (pollution haven hypothesis), structural changes and technical progress, the effectiveness of governance and consumer's preferences. Reversely, many authors criticize the EKC-concept for various issues. Some critical comments are that the EKC-concept is not valid for all pollutants, the service sector is not less polluting compared to the industry sector, improved energy efficiency can increase energy use and finally, in our own opinion, the original Kuznets' proposal cannot be applied on environmental problems.